bolt
A bolt is defined as a bar or rod used for locking or joining two things together.
(noun)An example of bolt is a gate lock with a rod that slides from the gate into the other side of the fence.
Bolt means to suddenly move or run.
(verb)An example of to bolt is going from sitting in a chair to running across a room.
The definition of a bolt is a flash of lightening.
(noun)A bolt of lightening is a flash of light in the sky right before the sound of thunder.
See bolt in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a short, heavy, often blunt arrow shot from a crossbow
- a flash of lightning; thunderbolt
- a sudden dash or movement
- a sliding bar for locking a door, gate, etc.
- a similar bar in a lock, moved by a key
- a threaded metal rod or pin for joining parts, having a head and usually used with a nut
- a roll (of cloth, paper, etc.) of a given length
- a jet or column (of some liquid)
- ☆ a bolting or withdrawal from one's party or group
- Firearms a sliding bar that pushes the cartridge into place, closes the breech, and extracts the empty cartridge case after firing
Origin: ME & OE, akin to Ger bolzen < IE base *bheld-, to knock, strike
transitive verb
- Archaic to shoot (an arrow, etc.)
- to say suddenly or unexpectedly; blurt (out)
- to swallow (food) hurriedly; gulp down
- to hold together or fasten with or as with a bolt
- to roll (cloth, etc.) into bolts
- ☆ to withdraw support from or abandon (a party, group, etc.)
intransitive verb
- to dash out suddenly; spring; dart
- to start suddenly and run away, as a horse
- ☆ to withdraw support from or abandon a party, group, etc.
- Hort. to produce seed prematurely
transitive verb
- to sift (flour, grain, etc.) so as to separate and grade
- Archaic to inspect and separate, as good from bad; examine closely
Origin: ME bulten < OFr buleter, ? dissimilated < *bureter < bure (< VL *bura), coarse cloth; akin to It burattare < buratto, sieve
See bolt in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A bar made of wood or metal that slides into a socket and is used to fasten doors and gates.
- A metal bar or rod in the mechanism of a lock that is thrown or withdrawn by turning the key.
- A fastener consisting of a threaded pin or rod with a head at one end, designed to be inserted through holes in assembled parts and secured by a mated nut that is tightened by applying torque.
- a. A sliding metal bar that positions the cartridge in breechloading rifles, closes the breech, and ejects the spent cartridge.b. A similar device in any breech mechanism.
- A short, heavy arrow with a thick head, used especially with a crossbow.
- A flash of lightning; a thunderbolt.
- A sudden or unexpected event: The announcement was a veritable bolt.
- A sudden movement toward or away.
- A large roll of cloth of a definite length, especially as it comes from the loom.
- To secure or lock with or as if with a bolt.
- To arrange or roll (lengths of cloth, for example) on or in a bolt.
- To eat (food) hurriedly and with little chewing; gulp.
- To desert or withdraw support from (a political party).
- To utter impulsively; blurt.
- Archaic To shoot or discharge (a missile, such as an arrow).
- To move or spring suddenly.
- To start suddenly and run away: The horse bolted at the sound of the shot. The frightened child bolted from the room.
- To break away from an affiliation, as from a political party.
- Botany To flower or produce seeds prematurely or develop a flowering stem from a rosette.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: , from Old English, heavy arrow
.transitive verb bolt·ed, bolt·ing, bolts
Origin:
Origin: Middle English bulten
Origin: , from Old French buleter
Origin: , from Middle High German biuteln
Origin: , from biutel, bag, purse
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